Briefing: Electric cars: Plug in, drive off

The government is promoting the use of electric cars through a subsidy for new purchases. Is this really the way to save the environment?

Prime minister and London mayor launch initiatives Gordon Brown revealed last week that the government plans to subsidise electric-car use, offering purchasers £2,000 towards the cost of an electric car because "it's good for the environment". Boris Johnson, the London mayor, followed up the announcement by unveiling his scheme to turn the capital's roads electric. His programme would include 25,000 "juice points", charging stations for electric cars, across the city. Britain has agreed to cut its CO2 emissions by 80% before 2050. For that target to be met, 40% of all vehicles in Britain would have to be either electric or hybrid (powered by a combination of electricity and petrol), according to Lord Turner of Ecchinswell, chairman of the government's climate change committee.

HIGH COSTS

Electric cars are expensive and difficult to charge Even with the government's planned subsidy, the cost of electric cars is still high: the